Cooking can be a challenge with myasthenia gravis

I discovered my love of cooking when I was 12. While I enjoyed every part of my learning journey, my mom didn’t fully trust me in her kitchen, so I didn’t get to cook very often.

I still live with her, so cooking for me is a rare occasion, which means that when she finally allows me to take over, I get a little too excited. Unfortunately, myasthenia gravis (MG) likes to remind me that things will never be as easy as they used to be.

For Ramadan, which this year fell on the month of March, we like to prepare many side dishes to have a variety of choices throughout the night. My favorite part of cooking is making multiple dishes at once, so when my mom asked me to take over iftar, our fast-breaking evening meal, I was thrilled. I immediately started planning all the things I wanted to make.

That same evening, I had plans to watch a movie with my boyfriend, and I confidently told him, “Don’t worry, it’ll take me only two hours to prepare everything.” Deep down, I knew it would probably take longer, but I still underestimated how much. Peeling a single potato took me three minutes instead of 30 seconds because my arms kept giving out on me.

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Since I wasn’t fasting that day, I took a dose of Mestinon (pyridostigmine bromide), hoping it would kick in quickly and get me back on track. But what I originally thought would take two hours ended up taking the entire day.

I felt frustrated but also proud. Despite everything, I managed to finish before sunset, and everyone ate on time. And, of course, I won’t forget to mention that I’m a great cook!

Strategies that can make cooking easier

First, I always sit down while working. While standing is more convenient, sitting allows me to rest my legs while my arms do the work.

I also frequently rotate between tasks. Each one involves different muscle groups, and alternating tasks gives my muscles time to rest. For example, if I have peeling and chopping to do, I’ll start by peeling a few carrots, then switch to chopping some potatoes, and then go back to peeling the rest of the carrots. This way, no single muscle group gets overworked too quickly.

Taking breaks is essential. You know those movie scenes where someone sips a glass of wine while making homemade pasta for a romantic dinner? Well, I do the same — except with a cup of coffee. I make sure to sit and rest while sipping, and somehow, this small ritual lessens my frustration. It’s something I’d do even if I weren’t sick.

One thing I find incredibly helpful, especially on days when I work outside the house, is meal prepping. When I have the energy, I batch-cook two meals in advance and save them for later. Having something ready to grab in the morning is a lifesaver. Since going outside is already a challenge, and eating out isn’t always the best option, having my own packed meals makes busy days much easier.

I do worry about cooking when I move into my own place. Will I be able to cook regularly? I think the best solution will be to prep everything ahead of time — peeling, chopping, and freezing ingredients — so that when it’s time to cook, it’s more about assembling than starting from scratch.

But I wonder, would it still feel like cooking? Am I enjoying the process, or do I just love the final result?

Whatever the answer may be, I think I need to separate the emotion from the task itself. Maybe cooking should be a habit instead of a passion so that I’m less frustrated when my body can’t handle it. Maybe that’s the trick to adapting to MG: not giving up on what I love, but finding a way to love it differently.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.